The Effect of Saffron Supplementation with Aerobic Training on Inflammatory Factors and Cognitive Status in Elderly Men
Subject Areas :Sara Naeimi 1 , Zahra Koohestani Sini 2 , Mohammad-Ali Kohanpour 3 , Hamide Nakhayi 4
1 - Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
2 - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 - Lamerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lamerd, Iran
4 - Exercise physiology, Birjand University
Keywords:
Abstract :
the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic training and saffron supplementation on cognitive status and serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in elderly men. Forty men aged 60 to 70 years were purposefully selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: aerobic training, saffron, aerobic training + saffron and placebo (10 people in each group). Interventions were performed for 12 weeks. Aerobictraining consisted of eight minutes of running with an intensity of 75 to 85% of the maximum reserve heart rate in the first session. Both sessions increased the running time by one minute until after 12 weeks, the running time reached 26 minutes. Saffron extract was taken as a capsule with a dose of 500 mg in two meals in the morning and after exercise. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in both training and saffron groups, but in the training + saffron group, their decrease was greater (P<0.05). Cognitive status in the three intervention groups increased significantly compared to the placebo group, which was higher in the exercise + saffron group (P<0.05). It is possible that taking saffron supplement along with aerobic training for 12 weeks, by improving the cognitive status in older men by reducing inflammatory factors, can prevent cognitive disorders and eventually Alzheimer's.